eBay item 2226359795 (Ends Feb-26-04 15:21:26 PST) - Rare 2100+ Yr Old CELTIC Silver SCORPION Coin home | pay | register | sign in | services | site map| help Back to list of items Listed in category: Coins > Coins: Ancient > Celtic Rare 2100+ Yr Old CELTIC Silver SCORPION Coin Item number: 2226359795 You are signed in Bidding has ended for this item If you are a winner, Sign in for your status. Go to larger picture Winning bid: US $242.50 Ended: Feb-26-04 15:21:26 PST Start time:Feb-16-04 15:21:26 PST History:17 bids (US $24.00 starting bid) Winning bidder: User ID kept private Item location: The City Different - Santa Fe United States Featured Plus! Listing Ships to: Worldwide Shipping and payment details Seller information axismundi.com( 1888) Feedback Score: 1888 Positive Feedback: 99.9% Member since Mar-06-98 in United States Read feedback comments Ask seller a question View seller's other items Visit this seller's eBay Store! Axis Mundi Ancient Coins Buyer Protection Offered See coverage and eligibility Description Rare 2100+ Yr Old CELTIC Silver SCORPION Coin Highly Desirable Authentic 2100+ Year Old Celtic Silver Drachm of the Insubres Tribe / Featuring a Portrait of a Nymph and a Stylized Celtic Scorpion Lion / Minted in Cisalpine Gaul - Late 2nd Century BC / Impressive Condition and Luster / No Reserve This coin will be shipped in a professional numismatic protective sleeve and accompanied by our written guarantee of authenticity which accurately documents the coin as to culture, region or ruler, precious metal, age, denomination and weight as well as a color photograph of the coin. Axis Mundi's Statement of Authenticity : The coin being offered here is backed by Axis Mundi's 30 years of experience in the ancient coin business and is unconditionally guaranteed to be genuine. If you have any questions concerning this coin you can reach one of our professional staff by email at mail@axis-mundi.com or by phone at 505-424-3414. This coin can also be inspected in person, upon request, during our business hours ( 12-6 PM daily ). Please send all mail correspondence and payments to: Axis Mundi 2442 Cerrillos Road # 330, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505. This coin will be shipped in a professional numismatic protective sleeve and accompanied by our written guarantee of authenticity which accurately documents the coin as to culture, region or ruler, precious metal, age, denomination and weight as well as a color photograph of the coin. Concerning Our Switch To "Private Auction" : Our decision to list all of our eBay coin offerings as "Private Auctions" is being done at the request of many of our important coin collectors. Please take the time to read why we have taken this step. Over the past year a significant number of our dedicated customers have urged us to consider private auctions so that they may avoid receiving the enormous amounts of spam from individuals and companies who make a habit of harvesting the email addresses of eBay users. For many, this is particularly disturbing and embarrassing when spam for adults only services and products continue to flood their inbox. In addition, some of our clients have informed us that they have become the target of hate groups due to their purchases of certain ethnic coins. This is especially true with coins of Jewish origin. And even though eBay has made tremendous efforts to curb attempts to gain access to user information, it continues to be a serious problem. We have decided, therefore, to take the only step possible to protect our client confidentiality by switching to private auctions. Private auctions have always been the normal procedure for all auction houses such as Christie's, Sotheby's, and major coin sales as well. We fully realize that many eBay users are reluctant to bid on private auctions, but the privacy of our clients is certainly more important than any other consideration. Description: We are very pleased to offer this genuine 2100+ year old Celtic silver Drachm of the Insubres tribe for your consideration. This exceptional coin features a portrait of a Nymph and a desirable Celtic scorpion lion. For over two centuries this was the standard coinage type of Cisalpine Gaul between the River Po and the Italian Alps. It was meant to mimic the Greek coinage of Messalia which was a favored currency in the region. The Celtic version, however, was highly stylized and uniquely theirs, in that the lion of the Messalian coinage was artistically and dramatically transformed into a scorpion lion. This example was minted in the 2nd century BC and survives in very fine condition with both sides being well struck and exhibiting a beautiful toned luster. Our photo does not convey the luster which is so apparent when viewing this coin in person. The Insubres were the most powerful Celtic people of Gallia Cisalpina (Cisalpine Gaul) and were the first to settle in northern Italy. They established their capitol at Mediolanum (modern Milan). Despite their defeat at Clastidium (modern Casteggio) by Roman forces in 222 BC, they continued to be troublesome and aided the Carthaginian general Hannibal in the Second Punic War (218-201 BC). The Insubres were finally subdued in 196 BC by M. Claudius Marcellus after a battle near Lake Como. Subsequently the Insubres signed a peace treaty and gradually lost their identity with the rise of Roman municipal communities in northern Italy. They were granted Latin rights in 89 BC and full Roman citizenship 40 years later. The unique artistry and mythological subjects of ancient Celtic coins have always been a tremendous lure to collectors. In addition. these heirlooms of the ancient world have become extremely popular as showpieces for modern jewelry. Here's your opportunity to add this outstanding 2100+ year old example to your collection. We've decided to offer this valuable and historic coin with no reserve to stimulate active bidding and encourage new collectors. You will not be disappointed with this truly gorgeous ancient treasure. Obverse: Head of a Nymph facing right, wearing a triple pendant earring. Reverse: Lion ( of scorpion type ) standing right... MSSM Size: 16 mm Weight: 2.3 grams Reference: CCCBM S18 The Celts in Battle: To the Romans the Celts presented a terrifying sight because of their tall stature and strange appearance. They were in many respects different from Mediterranean peoples. The Celts were by far the tallest race in the world, noticeable also for their white skin and fair hair. Although the Romans had heard about the barbarian Celts, they first encountered them as warriors, and it was in battle that their enormous size and strange appearance first struck them. Polybius gives a full account of how the Celts fought at the battle of Telamon in 225 BC; 'The Celts had drawn up the Gaesatae from the Alps to face their enemies on the rear ... and behind them the Insubres .... The Insubres and the Boii wore trousers and light cloaks, but the Gaesatae in their overconfidence had thrown these aside and stood in front of the whole army naked, with nothing but their arms; for they thought that thus they would be more efficient, since some of the ground was overgrown with thorns which would catch on their clothes and impede the use of their weapons.' On the other hand the fine order and the noise of the Celtic host terrified the Romans; for there were countless trumpeters and horn blowers and since the whole army was shouting its war cries at the same time there was such a confused sound that the noise seemed to come not only from the trumpeters and the soldiers but also from the countryside which was joining in the echo. No less terrifying were the appearance and gestures of the naked warriors in front, all of whom were in the prime of life and of excellent physique. All the warriors in the front ranks were adorned with gold torcs and armlets. The Romans were particularly terrified by the sight of these men, but, led on by hope of gain, they were twice as keen to face the danger. '... to the Celts in the rear their trousers and cloaks afforded good protection, but to the naked men in front events turned out differently to what they had expected and caused them much discomfiture and distress.' Celtic Adornment: An outstanding characteristic of the Celtic people was their love of decoration and ornament. 'They collect a great quantity of gold and use it for decoration, not only the women but also the men. For they wear bracelets on the wrists and arms, necklaces of solid gold, rings of great worth and even gold corslets' (body armour for the upper part of the torso). The torc was one of the most important ornaments worn by the Celts. It was a neck ring made of a rod of metal (sometimes twisted), of bronze or gold according to the wealth and status of the wearer. The two ends of the torc almost met, but the metal was pliant, for it had to open sufficiently to let it on or off. As with clothes, so with adornments, each man wore what he could afford and what status demanded. It is obvious, however, that the Celts liked to attract attention with flamboyant clothes and rich, decorative accessories. THE DANGERS OF LAST MINUTE BIDDING : Almost without fail after an auction has closed we receive emails from bidders who claim they were attempting to place a bid and were unable to get into eBay. There is nothing we can do to help bidders who were "locked out" while trying to place a "last minute" bid. All we can do in this regard is to urge you to place your bids early. If you're serious in your intent to become a winning bidder please avoid eBay's high traffic during the close of an auction. Its certainly your choice how you handle your bidding, but we'd rather see you a winner instead of being left out during the last minute scramble. AUTHENTICITY : We are a member of the American Numismatic Association. All items are accompanied by a lifetime guarantee of authenticity. DOMESTIC SHIPPING COSTS : High bidder to pay $7.00 for Priority shipping with insurance. INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING COSTS : High bidder to pay the actual cost of shipping by air. It is the responsibility of the buyer to comply with foreign customs and exchange regulations. RETURN POLICY : Items can be returned for ANY reason within 10 days of receipt for a full refund minus shipping costs. All items are shipped fully insured against loss or damage. Should any item arrive in damaged condition buyer agrees to save all packing materials pending examination by representative of shipping company. PAYMENT METHODS : We accept checks, money orders, VISA, MASTERCARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS and PAY PAL. Personal checks must clear our bank before shipment of item except in cases of established clients. Click here to see ...AXIS MUNDI's... other quality auctions Copyright 2004 Axis Mundi Thanks for Your Time and Interest Created by eBay Seller's Assistant Pro Visit Axis Mundi Ancient Coins today! Shipping and payment details Shipping and handling: US $3.80 (within United States) Buyer pays for all shipping costs Save on shipping now! - Buy more from this seller Shipping insurance: US $3.20 (Required) Sales tax: 6.400% (only in NM) Will ship worldwide. Seller's payment instructions & return policy: Axis Mundi will email the winning bidder with payment options following the close of each auction. We accept checks, money orders, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. You can make credit card payment by calling us directly at 505-424-3414 (12-6 PM Mountain Time) or through Pay Pal. Customers outside the USA can make Pay Pal payments in US Dollars, Pounds Sterling, Euro, or Yen. Shipping fees appearing on this page are for USA delivery ONLY. Payment methods accepted This seller, axismundi.com, prefers PayPal. Personal check Money order/Cashiers check See item description for payment methods accepted Visa/MasterCard, American Express Learn about payment methods. Where to go next? 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